Aerial Yoga : a hammock class for those wanting a gentle, stretchy practice. Class is designed to be a relaxing experience that's appropriate for all levels and ages. Perfect for those looking to invert, traction, stretch and improve their joint health. At the end, enjoy a long rest pose inside the hammock cocoon. / Recommended for beginners. // Classes will use a single-point nylon sling, hung at hip height.

Sling Basics : our entry-level Sling class for students looking to start upper body and core strength training. An ever-changing parade of drills aimed to challenge a student's balance, core, grip and ability to hold their body weight off the ground, as well as beginner dance moves for a fun experience with lots of variety. Classes will be half fitness moves, always customized by the coaches to the students' individual strength levels, and part dance transitions, exposing students to the dance progressions they will learn in Sling 1. / Recommended for beginners. // Classes will use a single-point nylon sling, hung at hip height.

*Sling 1 : a hammock class for students progressing in their endurance & pose vocabulary, focused on fluidity and choreography. Class will focus on transitions, grip switches and inverting into a tuck. / Individual permission from the studio owner is required to attend, based on completion of some prerequisites : students must be able to perform a pull-over, as well as have spent enough time in Sling Basics to become fluid in foundational entrances, exits and balance points in the hammock. // Classes will use a single-point nylon sling, hung at waist or rib height.

*Sling 2 + 3 : an intermediate hammock class for students progressing in their strength and technique. Class will focus on straddle inverts, straight arm hangs, climbs, longer sequences and some drops toward the end of the curriculum. / Individual permission from the studio owner is required to attend, based on completion of some prerequisites & assessing out of the Sling Dance 1 class. // Classes will use a single-point nylon sling, hung at rib height.

Dance Trapeze Basics : an entry level class on a trapeze. Students will learn basic entrances and exits onto the apparatus, as well as beginning conditioning, basic transitions and wraps. Class will focus on foundational technique needed to balance on the bar and rotate through space around the bar. / Recommended for beginners, but a bit of upper body strength is suggested. // Classes will use a single-point dance trapeze, with bouncy cable-free ropes and a carbon bar, on a swivel. The bar will be rigged about hip height for most poses in Basics.

*Dance Trapeze 1 + 2 : a beginning-intermediate class on trapeze for students progressing in grip strength, inversions, flexibility and fluidity. Students will learn knee hangs, transitions over and under the bar, standing wraps, inversions and rope work. Class will focus on building pose vocabulary, endurance and effortless transitions. / Individual permission from the studio owner is required to attend, based on completion of some prerequisites & assessing out of the Dance Trapeze Basics class. // Classes will use a single-point dance trapeze, with bouncy cable-free ropes and a carbon bar, on a swivel.

* = these classes require completing the previous class levels.

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Safety notes are clearly taught and enforced in all classes, as well as spotting when there is the need. There is no need to be already able to do a pull-up before you begin your aerial career; however, these classes are not intended as "shoulder therapy," so please refrain from class if you are nursing an acute shoulder injury or call the studio to ask which class is appropriate.

The studio features single-point nylon aerial hammocks (also called slings) and single-point dance trapezes, all rigged from 15-foot ceilings inside a renovated historic textile mill. Crash mats are used for every student in every class, and teachers are well trained in spotting techniques

things to know : class policies

1. Advance Registration // Students MUST book their private class in advance directly through Kelly.

2. Dress Code // Please note and follow the dress code for classes : it is intended to protect your skin as much as possible from the apparatus. Hanging from or swiveling in an apparatus can cause tender spots, bruises or silk burn. These are normal, and their occurrence lessens with time & consistency. Please exit a pose early if needed, while building up a tolerance to the pressure, and please never ignore any sensation of pain.

*Students should wear T-shirts that cover the armpits, and capris or pants that cover the backs of the knees. Students who wear shorts or crop tops to class will be given extra clothes to wear over top of what they came in, or they will be prohibited from taking class that day. Sleeves protect the hammock from deodorant, as well, which can speed the fabric's decay. Clothing should be form-fitting, as loose or baggy material can get caught in the hammock, or fall over students' faces when they invert. Clothing that is especially slippery feeling will not grip the hammock and silks as snugly, which beginners may want at first.

*Please note : bar apparatuses (trapeze) may be especially rough to get used to, and students may experience extra bruising when learning new moves, especially around the backs of the knees. Please bring extra layers (socks, long sleeve shirts, etc).

3. Lotion & Scents // Do not wear lotion that sweats off, or heavy scents (body odor or perfume alike). Please be courteous and avoid smoking prior to class, or any other activities that leave a lingering smell and could make your hammock uninhabitable for the student immediately after you.

4. Jewelry // NO jewelry, as it may snag the silks (especially rings or watches with sharp edges, and earrings. Please note, you will be asked to remove ALL jewelry before being allowed to join class). No gum chewing.

5. Mats // Mats are provided & must always be used.Water is provided, but bring a bottle.

6. Injuries & Medical Issues // Please alert Kelly before class if you suffer from easy bruising, low blood pressure, chronic light headedness, or nausea (i.e. the one who always gets car sick). If you feel you are getting dizzy during class, take a break or a sip or water and wait for it to pass.

*Also, please alert Kelly of ANY injuries before class begins. A full list of medical conditions relevant to aerials are listed on the student waiver (which you can view on the "Kids Aerial" page on the "Classes" tab of the website), but especially in regards to balance issues (vertigo, inner ear issues), shoulder considerations (rotator cuff damage, hyper flexible joints), any hardware or fusions in spine, past C-sections (scar tissue) and/or abdominal tears (Diastasis Recti). Refrain from any aerial class (and any inversion) for at least 24 hours after a Botox injection. Kelly reserves the right to prohibit a student from taking class in the case of an injury where aerials could be contraindicated.

7. Pregnancy // Pregnant students are not allowed to start aerial classes.

8. Sickness // Do NOT come to the studio if you are sick. The studio reserves the right to send sick students home out of respect for others' health. Please wash your hands before and after any aerial class, to prevent the spread of germs from student to apparatus as much as possible.

9. Tardiness // Please be on time to class. Each class begins with a warm-up to protect students from injury. Late students may not be admitted to class, on the teacher's discretion, due to safety risks of skipping warm-ups.

10. Safety // Safety is paramount. All safety guidelines (given by the coach or assistant) must be followed. Acting outside these guidelines, or putting others at risk warrants removal from class. Mats must always stay under each apparatus. No peer teaching. Do not try moves you have not been taught by a coach. Do not work on an apparatus you have not been coached on.

11. Time after Class // The social time directly after class is intended for taking pictures. (Phones are a distraction during class, and not allowed.) During this time, students may only practice moves they learned in class that day. This is not the time for asking to learn new moves from scratch once the teacher is "off the clock." Also, peer sharing/teaching during this time (or any other open practice time) is not allowed.

12. Exiting Poses // In class, please be mindful about exiting a move with impact or sound. Learning how much clearance is available in relation to the floor is an important principle of aerials, and rough landings imply a lack or awareness of clearance and/or a student trying a modification beyond their current skill set. Also, exiting moves quietly and slowly build the strength needed one day to enter the move without momentum.

13. Demos & Spotting // When observing a new move being demonstrated, students are asked to watch without trying along. Please stay on the ground during the demo, so that the coach can spot you appropriately if needed. Coaches provide acrobatic spotting. Students who refuse spotting may not be allowed to try the move.

14. Minors //Those 17 and younger must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian on file Before they can take class. No exceptions.

15. Previous Aerial Experience // Please let Kelly know if you have taken an aerial class before. If so, describe the type/apparatus and level of class.

16. Judgement Free // The studio is a judgment free zone. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, or ask for a spot. Negative or competitive talk directed to yourself or others is not acceptable.

From 2017 / A collage of scenes and characters from the MAYA studio Alice in Wonderland aerial show, featuring performances from students and coaches via sling, silks, trapeze, lyra and partner acrobatics.